The Painter's Apprentice by Alexander Small

Author:Alexander Small [Small, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-29T23:00:00+00:00

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Hanging the broad shoulder strap across his chest, and adjusting it to a snug fit, Jack stood with the leather satchel nestled comfortably under arm. He’d made sure it held a complete range of brushes, paints, and other tools. It was unlikely any in-world painting would be necessary, but once he reached the castle, he’d gift it to Dante. No doubt he’d want to add his own signature to aspects of the world Jack had made. And paint ice-cold pina coladas.

Dressed in a thin cashmere crew neck, skinny jeans, and chic trainers, he was expecting pleasant weather, he’d wished for it in the green lowlands where the castle sat, but if any breezes breathed a little too cool, he could always paint himself a jacket. Journeys inside Dante’s World were going to be easy, in any case.

“Jack, I don’t know about this.” Jaheem, in his usual stance, cross-armed like a colossus chiselled from onyx, was still staring at the masterpiece with narrowed eyelids. “Are you sure you want to go in there?”

He rolled his eyes. “Are you joking? Not even you could stop me. That’s how badly I want to get in there. Look, mate, I know what I’m doing. I’m going to see Dante again. My father. My real father. Why are you looking so worried?”

“We don’t know what effect his ashes have had on the world beneath. And”—he turned his eyes to the two others as if appealing— “at times, you spent days on end in the studio with little sleep, little food. I worry you weren’t in the right frame of mind the whole time.”

The padded shoulders of Harbir’s stylish navy suit rose a fraction as he shrugged. “That I didn’t see.” He nodded at Il Mundo di Dante. “All I know is what I can see now. A world of serenity and harmony. Even the currents are hypnotic, calming. I can’t see any problem at all. Miss Karlsson, your thoughts?”

Her citrusy perfume was in competition with the painting’s fragrances. She was finger-combing her shiny blonde fringe, inspecting Il Mundo di Dante. “I was a little worried about you at times if I’m being honest. Dante told me emotions are crucial when it comes to painting. Would you say yours were stable the whole time you painted this? You didn’t seem yourself. I think there was, understandably, an outpouring of grief. You don’t feel that might be a problem?”

“Relax. My overwhelming passion created positivity.” Jack was speaking in half-truths. His passion had created positivity. At times. At other times, he’d simply been overwhelmed. It didn’t matter though. Dante’s essence flowed across the canvas. The world under it would be wonderful. “Anyway, my mind’s made up. I’m going in. What messages would you like me to pass on to Dante?”

Miss Karlsson let out a sigh from her smile. “Just tell him we miss him.” She met the eyes of the others. “I think that’s at least one thing we can all agree on, yes?”

“Yes, most definitely. Please tell

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